5 held hostage in amok incident treated for trauma - Specialist

A woman, her mother and the former's three children who were held hostage by an armed man who ran amok for more than six hours in Taman Duyong Indah here early today, will undergo treatment for suspected trauma.

A specialist at the Melaka Hospital's emergency and trauma department, Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Kadir said the victims were in a state of fear, incoherent and trembled after they were rescued by the police.

He said the incident had traumatised the victims, but with expert assistance and good follow-up treatment, the effects on them could be reduced.

Dr Abdul Rahman was speaking to reporters after a visit by Melaka Tengah police chief ACP Shaikh Abdul Adzis Shaikh Abdullah and his wife, Rohana Ramli, who is Melaka Tengah Police Family Association (Perkep) chairman.

He said long-term treatment was imperative to ensure no negative effect in the future, especially among the children.

"We have given appropriate protection to all the victims and psychiatrists have been called to observe the condition of these people who are traumatised."

In the incident, the 44-year-old woman, her 63-year-old mother, and the children aged three, seven and nine were held hostage by a man for more than six hours at their home in Taman Duyong Indah here.

They were later rescued by the police during a raid at the house about 2am. A suspect in his 30s, was detained to facilitate investigations.

Dr Abdul Rahman said the victims only sustained minor injuries.

According to Shaikh Abdul Adzis, the suspect would be referred for specialist treatment.